Abstract: A strain relief device for use at a tube/hub junction of a tubular device such as a catheter. The strain relief device forms a lumen which may have a reduced diameter at a distal section thereof which can cooperate with the outer diameter of a catheter tube to form a wicking surface. The wicking cavity is formed to allow bonding material to be added thereto which, through capillary action, forms a uniform and controlled bond pattern between the strain relief device and the catheter tube. A catheter including the strain relief device of the invention is manufactured by inserting the strain relief device over a catheter tube/hub junction and permanently bonding the proximal end of the strain relief device to the hub in a conventional manner. The distal end of the strain relief device is then bonded to the catheter tube. The stain relief device of the present invention resists axial pulling forces, as well as bending forces, which may be applied to the catheter.

Abstract: A blood lancet is disclosed having a lancet needle with a sharpened lancet tip. The lancet tip is covered before use. The lancet tip end of the lancet needle extends through a slidable proximal needle piece while the opposite end of the lancet needle is immovably embedded in a distal needle piece. The distal needle piece is connected to the proximal needle piece through a pair of opposed normally bowed flexible arms. After pricking the user's skin with the lancet tip, the bowed flexible arms are pinched towards each other which pushes the proximal needle piece into a position over and enclosing the lancet tip. The flexible arms each have an arrow shaped protrusion or catch that engages a correspondingly shaped receptacle on the distal needle piece to lock the proximal needle piece in position over the lancet tip. In one embodiment, a removable cap covers the lancet tip. In another embodiment, the proximal needle piece is formed around the lancet tip.

Abstract: An epidural or anesthesia needle assembly having a "wing" selectively attachable to the needle hub is disclosed. The "wing" is made of a sturdy but resilient material. The "wing" has a tang for placing in a corresponding slot in the needle hub to ensure the correct orientation of the "wing" with the bevel tip of the cannula. In addition, the tang allows the "wing" to be pushed along the elongated axis of the cannula with improved efficiency so that the "wing" does not become inadvertently detached from the needle hub. In the preferred embodiment, the "wing" includes a protective sheath mount enclosure shaped in contour to the protective sheath mount located at the most distal end of the needle hub. The protective sheath mount enclosure forms a lock around the protective sheath mount.

Abstract: A suction control valve is disclosed that vents to atmosphere the residual vacuum pressure presented to a suction catheter or similar device when the central bore of the valve is completely blocked by a valve member and the device that the suction control valve is controlling becomes occluded. A vent bore extends from the central bore through the valve body underneath the valve member. A vent channel is formed in the underside of the valve member longitudinally aligned with the vent bore and extending a small distance along the underside of the valve body from the end of the valve body. The length of the vent channel is such that when the valve member completely blocks the central bore, the vent channel is positioned over the vent bore thereby forming a vent path from the central bore through the vent bore and vent channel to the atmosphere. Unless the valve body is in the fully closed position, the vent bore is not aligned with the vent channel.

Abstract: A syringe assembly including a plunger rod and a plunger tip which are designed to provide a low frictional resistance against the interior surface of the syringe barrel while the plunger rod is at rest but which will increase the sealing pressure between the plunger tip and the interior surface of the syringe barrel in proportion to the amount of force applied to the plunger rod. Additionally, the plunger rod may be moved in the syringe barrel in a laterally offset manner with respect to the longitudinal axis of the syringe barrel without significantly affecting the seal between the plunger tip and the syringe barrel.

Abstract: A safety dental syringe of the type adapted to receive a medication cartridge therein but having a protective needle shield thereon which is movable between a retracted position wherein the needle is exposed and a locked and extended position wherein the needle is protected and the needle shield is prevented from returning to the retracted position. A collar is attached to the distal end of the dental syringe to selectively engage a key on the needle shield as the needle shield is moved between the retracted and extended positions. The needle shield slides longitudinally between the retracted and extended positions and may be rotated about the barrel of the dental syringe to lock the needle shield in the locked and extended position. A locking mechanism is disclosed which preferably includes a series of ramps and slots adapted to engage portions of the keys on the needle shield to retain the needle shield in the locked and extended position.

Abstract: A suction catheter device usable with a respiratory support system which includes a catheter enveloped in a sleeve having a proximal end connector for connection to a suction source through a suction control device such as a suction control valve, and a distal end connector for attachment to a manifold of the respiratory support system. The proximal end connector includes a normally closed valve therein which prevents air flow through the catheter until a suction control device is attached thereto. The proximal end connector may also be adapted for use on a dual lumen catheter and thereby include a fluid injection passage having a one-way check valve therein. The distal end connector of the suction catheter device includes a magnifying window through which a portion of the catheter within the connector can be viewed.

Abstract: A blood lancet is disclosed having a lancet needle with a sharpened lancet tip. The lancet tip is covered before use. The lancet tip end of the lancet needle extends through a slidable proximal needle piece while the opposite end of the lancet needle is immovably embedded in a distal needle piece. The distal needle piece is connected to the proximal needle piece through a pair of opposed normally bowed flexible arms. A rigid sheath surrounds the lancet needle between the distal needle piece and the proximal needle piece. The sheath is rigidly attached to either the distal or proximal needle piece at one end and is frangibly connected to the proximal or distal needle piece, respectively, at its other end. The sheath precisely positions the proximal needle piece relative to the distal needle piece. A removable cap covers the lancet tip. In use, the cap is removed.

Abstract: An ECG analysis system for use in conjunction with an ambulatory ECG recorder. The invention includes a playback deck which is capable of receiving and downloading information from a cassette tape to a dedicated digital analysis unit. The playback deck is capable of receiving information from the cassette tape during rewind of the tape therein as well as during playback of the tape. The dedicated digital analysis unit includes a superimposition template and a minute-by-minute ECG template which allow interaction between the dedicated digital analysis unit and the operator for simplification of analysis, manipulation, editing, and report generation. The system is capable of processing information from a cassette tape while it is being rewound in the playback deck and producing preliminary summary report information related to ECG data on the tape for use by a system operator before the tape completes its rewind operation.

Abstract: A control system controls a D.C. speed-change motor to change the transmission configurations on a treadmill transmission powered by an A.C. drive motor. The control system may be either microprocessor based or a system of discrete logical pieces. The control system responds to both the current speed of the treadmill belt and the electrical current drawn by the speed-change motor. The control system uses this information to modulate the duty cycle of voltage pulses sent to the D.C. speed-change motor to power the speed-change motor in response to a determination by the control system that the speed-change motor needs to rotate faster or slower to produce a constant rate of speed change for the treadmill belt. The control system also includes a rapid deceleration system. In response to the user's direction or in response to the condition of the treadmill, the control system sends a high voltage to the D.C.

Abstract: A lancet injector is provided having a lancet tip that may be automatically removed from the lancet injector after piercing and being retracted from the skin of the subject. A separation recess extends from the slot along the housing toward the proximal end of the housing allowing the control member to move proximally into the separation recess. The separation recess has a proximally extending retention recess that retains the lancet holder in its most proximal position. The lancet holder has a bore extending longitudinally through it aligned with the central axis of the housing. A pin extends from the proximal end of the housing along the central axis of the housing toward the central bore of the holder. The control member moves into the separation recess causing the pin to enter the bore of the lancet holder and contact the lancet.

Abstract: A closed ventilation and suction catheter system for aspirating or suctioning the bronchial tree or trachea of a patient including a dual lumen catheter, the proximal end of the catheter is connected to a dual valve assembly which is connected to separate irrigation fluid and suction pressure sources and the distal end of the catheter is adapted to be slidably positioned in communication with the bronchial tree of a patient. A transparent and flexible envelope surrounds the catheter to protect the catheter from direct exposure to the atmosphere. The catheter is slidable from the inside of the envelope through an adaptor and a tracheal tube to communicate with the bronchial tree or trachea of the patient. A ventilator is connected to the adaptor near the distal end of the catheter to provide for the artificial ventilation of the patient.

Abstract: A device and method of closing an incision or puncture in a patient by inserting a vessel plug into the incision or puncture until the distal end of the vessel plug is adjacent to the outer lumen of the blood vessel or target organ so that the vessel plug does not obstruct the flow of fluid through the blood vessel or target organ. The precise positioning of the vessel plug in the incision or puncture is accomplished through the use of a balloon catheter or a cylindrical insertion assembly having a proximal plunger member associated therewith.

Abstract: A catheter is disclosed having an outer sheath made of a porous polymer material such as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE). The sheath has a porosity to allow anti-microbial or anti-bacterial medicament or other medicaments or liquids to pass through the sheath. A medicament lumen is provided passing through the elongated tube of the catheter from the catheter's proximal or out of patient end to openings along the catheter tube wall. Medicament is passed from the proximal end of the catheter through the medicament lumen and expelled through the openings into the area between the sheath and the catheter's main tube. There, the medicament or other liquid passes through the sheath into contact with the patient's body lumen. In the preferred embodiment, the catheter is a Foley urinary catheter.

Abstract: A linear phase high pass filter having a linear phase low pass filter in parallel with an electronic delay means is disclosed to remove baseline wander from an ECG signal. The linear phase low pass filter is preferably a digital Infinite Impulse Response (IIR) filter. An input ECG signal is simultaneously presented to an IIR low pass filter and an electronic delay. The low pass filter passes the low frequency baseline signal while blocking the ECG signal comprised of higher frequency components than the cutoff frequency of the low pass filter. Thereafter, the outputs from the IIR low pass filter and delay are passed to a summer that subtracts the output of the low pass filter from the output of the delay to produce the output of the filter. The combination of the output of a low pass filter being subtracted from a delayed input signal produces a high pass filter. The resulting high pass filter has a -0.3 dB cutoff frequency of about 0.

Abstract: A serum or plasma collection device including a gel material for partitioning and separating heavier and lighter phases of a fluid sample such as a blood sample. The device preferably includes a member such as a disc-shaped or ring-shaped member or a combination thereof to prevent the separated material from interfering with the sampling of the separated fluid sample. The member is preferably formed of hydrophobic and/or non-wetted material and has a specific gravity different than the specific gravity of the lighter phase. The member also physically separates the separated material from the fluid to be sampled to allow the user to obtain an uncontaminated fluid sample.

Abstract: A chart recorder (10) is disclosed having an automatic paper loading system, an automatic tensioning system and an "odometer" system for determining the amount of paper moved through the chart recorder. The chart recorder (10) includes a print roller (34) and a feed roller (22), both in frictional contact with the paper in the recorder and both connected to and rotated by a motor. The feed roller (22) is connected to the motor through a one way clutch that allows the feed roller (22) to "free wheel" when the feed roller (22) is rotated at a faster rate, due to frictional contact with the paper, than the roller would be rotated by the motor (56). Dissipative forces in the one way clutch (68) and bearings (24) of the feed roller (22) cause it to resist being rotated which imparts tension to the paper and draws it into contact with a paper guide (14).

Abstract: A filter system for removing small amplitude, high frequency signals such as muscle artifact signals from an ECG signal is provided. The filter system includes a low pass filter with variable cutoff frequencies, an electronic delay and a system for detecting the R wave in the ECG signal and determining the variable cutoff frequency in response to the detection of the R wave. A digitized input ECG signal is simultaneously presented to the electronic delay and the system for detecting the R wave. During the portion of the ECG signal exclusive of the QRS complex, the filter is operated at a low cutoff frequency to filter the muscle artifact signals for a maximum smoothing effect. At a time slightly prior to the on set of the QRS complex, the cutoff frequency is rapidly incrementally increased to a higher cutoff frequency to pass the QRS complex with a minimum reduction of amplitude of the QRS signal.

Abstract: A drop detector circuit and method are provided for a drop detector of the type including a drop chamber and an electro-optical sensor. A photodiode detects drops passing through its optical sensing path, and a capacitor is connected between the photodiode and an amplifier to block the DC component of the diode signal. After amplification, the signal is passed through a low pass filter to further block signals caused by undesirable factors. The cutoff frequency of the low pass filter is controlled by a microprocessor that controls the pump that pumps liquid from the drop chamber.